o you of little faith.

Aslan’s other name

On Thursday 9 December, the Chronicles of Narnia released the third movie in the series: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.

At the end of the movie (without spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it) Aslan makes his appearance before the two Pevensie children, Caspian, Eustace and Reepicheep. And in the closing scene in the land of Narnia, Aslan explains to Edmund and Lucy that they now share the same fate as Peter and Susan (unable to re enter Narnia). However, to comfort Lucy, Aslan reveals that, “in your world, I have another name. You must learn to know me by it.” To Christians around the world this heavily pregnant with explicit Christian undertones; especially when reflecting on CS Lewis’ comments on the character of Aslan in Narnia,

“The whole Narnian story is about Christ… [Aslan] is an invention giving an imaginary answer to the question: ‘What might Christ become like if there really were a world like Narnia?'”

Aslan is the Turkish word for lion. But when you consider the imagery of Aslan’s sacrifice in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and his resurrection; then add to that Aslan’s final words in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the idea that Aslan is a type of Christ does not seem so far fetched. The thought-provoking challenge by Aslan in the latest Narnia movie leaves viewers wondering, ‘ What is Aslan’s other name?’ In our world, it is implied, the alternative Aslan is well known and quite possibly a familiar name, even if the connection to the great lion is not obvious at first. Especially at this time of year, when even Asda are selling the Virgin Mary costumes (Baby Jesus doll included), the name Jesus is reminding people of the man who sacrificed himself and was resurrection. The challenge is know this version of Aslan in our world, to know Jesus.